Macbeth is the title character in William Shakespeare's play. Throughout the play, he can be seen as the perfect example of a man corrupted to sin and evil by his own lust for power.
"The character is based on the historical king Macbeth of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain. Macbeth is a Scottish noble and a valiant military man. He is portrayed throughout the play as an antagonistic anti-hero. After a supernatural prophecy, and at the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he commits regicide and becomes King of Scotland. He thereafter lives in anxiety and fear, unable to rest or to trust his nobles. He leads a reign of terror until defeated by Macduff. The throne is then restored to the rightful heir, the murdered King Duncan's son, Malcolm." - Wikipedia
Your essay question:
Discuss Shakespeare's development of Macbeth's character, making reference specifically to his soliloquys and his hallucination. What role do these play in his corruption of conscience? Support your response with evidence from the play.
Macbeth
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Macbeth is the title character in William Shakespeare's play. Throughout the play, he can be seen as the perfect example of a man corrupted to sin and evil by his own lust for power.
"The character is based on the historical king Macbeth of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain. Macbeth is a Scottish noble and a valiant military man. He is portrayed throughout the play as an antagonistic anti-hero. After a supernatural prophecy, and at the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he commits regicide and becomes King of Scotland. He thereafter lives in anxiety and fear, unable to rest or to trust his nobles. He leads a reign of terror until defeated by Macduff. The throne is then restored to the rightful heir, the murdered King Duncan's son, Malcolm."
- Wikipedia
Your essay question:
Discuss Shakespeare's development of Macbeth's character, making reference specifically to his soliloquys and his hallucination. What role do these play in his corruption of conscience? Support your response with evidence from the play.For further research:
Analysis of Macbeth as a major character
Analysis of Macbeth - SparkNotes
Analysis of Macbeth - eNotes
Click here to watch a video on Macbeth's character development!
Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth_%28character%29http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRqRcqoIQ4E